A New Home for Hip Hop in NYC - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler

Scheduled to reopen in 2025, the Bronx Hip Hop Museum in New York is dedicated to the history and impact of hip hop. Located near the genre’s birthplace, the museum aims to educate and inspire future generations. It is a collaborative effort involving founders like Rocky Bucano and artists including Kurtis Blow and LL Cool J, emphasizing hip hop’s deep roots in Bronx culture.

A Bronx Museum

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The Bronx has always been known for its unique subculture, and nowhere is that clearer than in its very own Hip Hop Museum. The Museum is currently closed, due to reopen in 2025.

A Meaningful Location

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Located in the Bronx Terminal Market, the Museum seeks to celebrate history and inspire future generations. The new venue is just under two miles from where the first hip-hop party was held on Sedgwick Avenue.

A Collective Effort

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The museum is a collaboration between some of hip-hop’s most iconic figures. Founder Rocky Bucano worked with artists like Kurtis Blow, Ice-T, LL Cool J, Nas, and others. Many of them continue to be involved in the Museum’s development.

Something for Everyone

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The Museum is not just that – it is also a space for artists and audiences to meet, an educational space, a theater, and a community asset. In August 2022, a $ 5.5 million grant was announced for the new 52,000 sq ft venue.

A Long-Term Project

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Founder Rocky Bucano first began working on the Universal Hip Hop Museum as an idea in 2011. After many individual events, concerts, collaborations, and setbacks, the Museum finally opened its first real home in 2023.

A New Home

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Despite only opening in earnest in 2023, the museum is already temporarily closed while it awaits the time to reopen in its new home – a 52,000sq ft building just blocks from the first location. This means it will keep its place in the heart of the Bronx.

Rocky Bucano

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Founder Rocky Bucano is a Bronx native who has worked tirelessly to ensure that hip-hop is recognized for its cultural phenomenon. Working for years to find the right location, his dedication has been integral to the success of the Museum.

Pop up Events

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Although it didn’t find a physical home until the completion of construction in 2023, the Museum was very active. The museum had several temporary homes and organized many popular events, including a celebration of 50 years of hip hop.

A Plan for the Area

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Moving what was previously known as the Universal Hip Hop Museum(UHHM), The Hip Hop Museum’s new venue is part of a $349 million development project for Bronx Point.

Redeveloping the Area

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The area, Bronx Point, is going under massive redevelopment. Plans include “public open spaces, 350 units of permanently affordable housing, a state-of-the-art multiplex theater, education space, and a neighborhood food and beverage hall and incubator” according to norwoodnews.org.

COVID

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While COVID had the unfortunate effect of delaying construction on the original venue by several months to fall 2020, Rocky Bucano and others at the UHHM took the chance to help others.

Charity Work During COVID

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An online event organised by the Museum raised $73,000 for two local charities to help those struggling in the community. Performers included iconic artists ICE-T and Wu-Tang Clan.

Mission Statement

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Thhm.org says that their mission is that the Museum “celebrates and preserves the history of local and global Hip Hop music and culture to inspire, empower, and promote understanding.”

Values

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Having a clear mission, the Museum and registered charity has also established seven values to help them achieve their goals. These include Authenticity, Inclusivity and Education.

Embracing Excellence

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The final four values the museum strives to embody are: Innovation, Community, Integrity and Social Responsibility.

A Unique Museum

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Thanks to its values, and location in the birthplace of hip hop, The Hip Hop Museum is truly unique. One could say the same for the Idaho Potato Museum, the National Mustard Museum (WI) and the Museum of Bad Art (MA) – all having their own distinctive appeal!

A Grand Re-Opening?

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There isn’t any information available yet, but we suspect the event to open the new venue will be an impressive celebration with some familiar, talented faces.

A Piece of Culture

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Visitors to the museum or website thhm.org can find a range of iconic merchandise for sale. Basketball jerseys and vintage-style t-shirts are a must for keen hip-hop lovers.

Online Presence

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Having been without a venue for so long, the Museum is no stranger to the internet. At one stage, a virtual museum, and having hosted online events, the Museum can be found at @thhmuseum on X and thhmuseum on Instagram.

A Bright Future

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With the continued support and hard work of some of the biggest names in hip-hop, The Hip Hop Museum has a bright future ahead when it reopens next year.

Luke Ramsay

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